Smokefree QEH
Smokefree Policy
As a leading healthcare provider across Norfolk, the Trust recognise we have a responsibility to encourage good health and to help tackle major causes of ill health by providing an environment that supports people to quit smoking.
From March 13 2024, all buildings and grounds across our hospital and community sites are completely smoke free, helping to protect the health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and visitors, meaning tobacco smoking is prohibited.
There are no designated smoking areas on our site. Smoking is not permitted in our gardens, walkways or shelters.
People seen smoking will be respectfully reminded of the Smokefree Site, informed of the available smoking cessation support and politely asked to leave our grounds if they wish to smoke.
Smoking puts people at risk of complications and delays their recovery. A Smokefree hospital creates the right environment for people trying to stop smoking and also for those who need to remain smoke free whilst in hospital or visiting.
Anyone who would like to give up smoking can access FREE help and support by contacting the local Stop Smoking Services. To get in touch with your local service, please contact the below:
If you live in Norfolk:
- Smokefree Norfolk
- Tel: 0800 0854 113
- Website: www.smokefreenorfolk.nhs.uk
If you live in Cambridgeshire:
- Healthy You
- Tel: 0333 005 0093
- Website: https://healthyyou.org.uk/services/stop-smoking/
If you live in Lincolnshire:
- One You
- Tel: 01522 705 162
- Website: https://www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk/pathway/be-smoke-free
Why are we going smokefree?
There are many reasons for the decision to go smokefree including:
- One in two long-term smokers will die early from smoking related diseases.
- Smoking is a major cause of premature death and loss of healthy life expectancy.
- Around a quarter of cancer deaths and a third of respiratory related deaths are estimated to be attributable to smoking.
- Four out of five people don’t smoke and of those that do many would like to stop.
- Public support for controls on smoking in public spaces is high.
- The annual local cost of smoking to Norfolk is £308.5m
- Smoking prevalence in the area is above the national average, and being Smokefree will enable an environment for people to feel supported to quit and reduce the prevalence to help meet Norfolk’s aim of being Smokefree by 2030.
Is vaping allowed?
Vaping in the grounds is allowed, within the designated zones, known as quit zones. For patients and visitors, this is located to the front of the hospital.
What does it mean for me?
- Patients:
- Patients will not be allowed to smoke anywhere in hospital buildings or grounds.
- You will be asked if you smoke, and if you would like help to stop.
- You will be offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) whilst in hospital.
- You will be sign-posted to the local smoking cessation service.
- You will be allowed to vape on the hospital grounds within the designated zones.
- Visitors:
- Visitors will not be allowed to smoke anywhere in hospital buildings or grounds.
- You will be allowed to vape on the hospital grounds within the designated zones.
- Contractors / Visiting staff / Students
- You will be allowed to vape on the hospital grounds within the designated zones.
Help us to help you…
It is important that people do not smoke in secret either inside or outside Trust property. We are here to support you and the best way we can do this is by being open and honest with one another.
- Call the Smokefree National Helpline number:0300 123 1044
- Discover more on theNHS Smokefree site.
- Many pharmacies and GPs are also trained to offer support locally.
Benefits of stop smoking
- What are the health benefits if you give up smoking?
- 20 minutes: Your blood pressure and pulse go back to normal
- 8 hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal
- 24 hours: Your lungs start to clear out mucus and carbon monoxide will be eliminated
- 48 hours: Your body is free of nicotine and your sense of taste and smell have improved
- 72 hours: Your breathing is easier and you should have more energy
- 3 to 9 months: Your lung capacity can improve by up to 10%, leading to improvement with coughing, breathing and wheezing
- 5 years: Your risk of a stroke falls to about the same as a non-smoker
- 10 years: Your risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker and risk of heart attack falls to the same as a non-smoker
Top Ten Tips to Quit smoking
- Get support, don’t go it alone
- Change your usual routine
- Make your home a smoke free zone
- Save your cigarette money
- Treat yourself
- Take regular exercise
- Take up a hobby
- Keep busy
- Avoid difficult situations
- Remember - You can do it